The federal system is based on language in the United States Constitution. This section reviews that language and points out those parts that carve out powers for the states.
It begins by looking through Article 4 of the Constitution, which details the relationship between the states and between the national and state governments. Then it looks at the Senate, the nature of House elections and the reserved powers.
Goals
- You should know the debates for and against consolidating power at the national level.
- What were the goals of the Federalists?
- Know the key features contained in Article Four of the Constitution.
- Be able to explain the special relationship that the Senate initially had with the states.
- Also be able to explain how the states are able to control - or at least influence - the House of Representatives.
- Be familiar with the Voting Rights Act and the issues associated with districting.
- Know how the Constitution assigns powers to the different levels of government.
- Understand the impact of the 14th Amendment on the states.
- Know the specific limits placed on states in the U.S. Constitution and why those limits exist.
- Be able to explain the controversies associated with the commerce clause and the general welfare clause.
- Know how national spending power can impact state policy.
Key Terms
- Federalists
- Anti Federalists
- Virginia Plan
- the Great Compromise
- privileges and immunities
- full faith and credit
- the U.S. Senate
- 17th Amendment
- House Elections
- bicameralism
- Texas Election Code
- Voting Rights Act
- Suffrage
- apportionment
- Legislative Redistricting Board
- gerrymandering
- reserved powers
- delegated powers
- implied powers
- denied powers
- 10th Amendment
- state sovereign immunity
- 14th Amendment
- equal protection clause
- judicial review
- the commerce clause
- the general welfare clause
- concurrent powers
Power Points
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Description
The federal system is based on language in the United States Constitution. This section reviews that language and points out those parts that carve out powers for the states.
It begins by looking through Article 4 of the Constitution, which details the relationship between the states and between the national and state governments. Then it looks at the Senate, the nature of House elections and the reserved powers.
Goals
- You should know the debates for and against consolidating power at the national level.
- What were the goals of the Federalists?
- Know the key features contained in Article Four of the Constitution.
- Be able to explain the special relationship that the Senate initially had with the states.
- Also be able to explain how the states are able to control - or at least influence - the House of Representatives.
- Be familiar with the Voting Rights Act and the issues associated with districting.
- Know how the Constitution assigns powers to the different levels of government.
- Understand the impact of the 14th Amendment on the states.
- Know the specific limits placed on states in the U.S. Constitution and why those limits exist.
- Be able to explain the controversies associated with the commerce clause and the general welfare clause.
- Know how national spending power can impact state policy.
Key Terms
- Federalists
- Anti Federalists
- Virginia Plan
- the Great Compromise
- privileges and immunities
- full faith and credit
- the U.S. Senate
- 17th Amendment
- House Elections
- bicameralism
- Texas Election Code
- Voting Rights Act
- Suffrage
- apportionment
- Legislative Redistricting Board
- gerrymandering
- reserved powers
- delegated powers
- implied powers
- denied powers
- 10th Amendment
- state sovereign immunity
- 14th Amendment
- equal protection clause
- judicial review
- the commerce clause
- the general welfare clause
- concurrent powers